Spencer Spotlight: Teams battle weather as well as each other

With the late snow and cold weather, many games had to be canceled or postponed. With a small window open before tournaments begin, athletic directors have been scrambling to reschedule.

The baseball team seems to be hit the hardest. With time constraints and the lack of lights, it has a hard time playing doubleheaders.

The softball team on the other hand can play doubleheaders before it gets too dark. For the ladies, that basically meant doubleheaders nearly every night except Wednesday.

Saturdays even have been used. Last Saturday was one of those days.

Two battles took place that day. One was for the East Cloverbelt Conference softball leadership, and the other was a battle against nature. On the field, Spencer and Neillsville went at each other, both teams supporting no losses in conference play. Two good teams went toe to toe. When one would score, the other would come back and reciprocate. Who took over first place? Neither one! They split the doubleheader, giving each other a loss.

The other battle was against Mother Nature. She can be very cruel when it comes to sporting events. On May 10, the softball team played a twin bill in Greenwood. The team came home with a sweep and sunburn. Yes, you read it correct. Sunburn! Mother Nature torched the field and players with a blistering sun.

Come Saturday morning, it was a whole different story. It almost felt like Old Man Winter was trying to get his foot back in the door. The wind came in strong from the west, chilling every part of your body.

The players, sunburned the previous day, took the field with jackets, long sleeves and even stocking caps. It was that cold!

On the bench, players surrounded themselves with blankets and whatever else could keep them warm. The fans looked like they were dressed for a football game. The biggest seller at the concession stand - hot chocolate! I wonder why.

Oh, by the way, the Lady Rockets played a doubleheader Tuesday. What was the weather like? It was windy, but nothing like Saturday. The temperature was nudging the 80-degree mark. Only in Wisconsin!